The Trump administration has unveiled a new immigration initiative offering $1,000 in financial assistance and travel support to undocumented migrants who voluntarily choose to leave the United States, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Describing the effort as a more humane and cost-effective alternative to forced deportation, DHS characterized the program as “the best, safest, and most affordable way to exit the United States and avoid arrest.” The initiative is being administered through the CBP One mobile application.

“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “DHS is now offering financial travel assistance and a stipend to support voluntary return through the CBP One app.”

Immigration enforcement remains a central focus of Donald Trump’s presidency and re-election campaign. However, DHS officials have acknowledged that traditional deportation proceedings are costly estimated at around $17,000 per individual, including arrest, detention, and removal.

The new stipend program, by contrast, is significantly less expensive. DHS revealed that it has already been utilized, noting that a recent participant who entered the country during the Biden administration voluntarily returned to Honduras on a flight from Chicago. Additional flights are reportedly scheduled in the coming weeks.

Since President Trump returned to office on January 20, his administration has deported approximately 152,000 people a figure lower than the 195,000 deportations carried out between February and April last year under President Biden’s administration.